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Tag: staycationuk

Unusual Places to Stay

Written by Anya Cooklin-Lofting on . Posted in Latest, Lifestyle, Travel, Wellbeing.

By Anya Cooklin-Lofting

As the summer descends in rays and frittering hours, I find myself longing for an escape from the daily grind. Instead of quick deskside sandwiches and (increasingly humid) tube journeys, I’m pining for something a world away, for something unusual, where I can be free of the iron grooves of modern life and briefly settle somewhere remote to press pause. This lust for escapism simply hasn’t been quelled by watching Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story on my phone on the District Line. Neither has it been appeased by short walks around the local park or any of the books or podcasts doing their best to offer a taste of different worlds and ways of life. What I really need is a clean break from the everyday cues to the quotidian and the corporate, a step away from busy life into a world defined by quite how different it feels from my own. So, this month, I’m on the hunt for places to stay that will tick that escapism box. And though most of these spots boast great WiFi, it’s your call as to whether you decide to connect.

First up, it’s follies, or as the architects would have it, decorative structures built without practical purpose, often in the form of castles or ruins in miniature. They tend to be set picturesquely against quintessential countryside views; nestled in copses, topping knolls or flanking gates. It wasn’t until I discovered journalist and author, Catriona Gray’s delightful Instagram account dedicated to living in such a building that I realised these places could be habitable, let alone beautifully appointed inside. There are many options should you wish to experience folly life in the UK, even if it’s only a long weekend.

A quintessential example is Grotto Lodge at Highclere Castle (the Sir Charles Barry-designed castle at which Downton Abbey was filmed). The Grotto, which is a strange, stone, circular cottage, has been decorated and restored by Lady Carnarvon, who took on the responsibility of the grand Highclere estate in 2001. Wallpapers by Colefax & Fowler and Robert Kime lend each room a classical feel, and the retention of the original features such as the curved walls and arched windows make the grotto unique and characterful.

Another incredible option includes The Towers at Penrice Castle in Gower, Swansea. The extravagant Gothic folly was built to resemble a ruin but now features delightfully cosy interiors. Or, there’s The Bridge House, a strikingly unusual river-spanning cottage in Ballintuim, Scotland. The home, which is listed on AirBnB, is reminiscent of an Arthur Rackham illustration, all turrets, arches, gables and finials, towering over the rushing River Ardle. 

Next up, the remote, dramatic coastal locations of lighthouses should offer a surefire way to prompt your mind to switch off. Lighthouses, often perched rather majestically atop craggy edifices, provide sweeping views, charming architectural features and a delightful vintage feel (see also: windmills). Coolstays.com has several lighthouse listings, including this lighthouse cottage, Eilean Sionnach Lighthouse Cottage, a four-bedroom home off the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Situated on its own four-acre island, guests can access a private beach, plus a traditional highland pub, bars and restaurants are within walking distance. While Eilean Sionnach boasts the views and remoteness of a lighthouse, it isn’t in the lighthouse exactly. Instead, it sits just behind the rather pretty yellow-topped tower. 

However, Sally Port Cottage in St Mawes, Cornwall, offers the opportunity to stay inside the lighthouse itself. The two-bedroom home also features an observation room with blankets and a wood-effect stove to keep you warm while storm-gazing. Better still, The Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project are nearby if you did fancy dipping a toe back into reality (ie. interacting with other humans, queuing, etc.), albeit via visits to otherworldly attractions. 

Winterton Lighthouse is also an excellent option for a luxurious, remote, lighthouse getaway with all the curved walls and spiralling staircases you could possibly want. Located on the edge of the pretty village of Winteron-on-Sea, Norfolk, the lighthouse is close to a great pub and a national nature reserve, which is part of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The lighthouse itself was mentioned in Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and was used as a lookout during the Second World War. At the top of the tower is the Lantern Room, accessed via an almost vertical staircase, which has wrap-around seating and panoramic views of the Norfolk Countryside and the North Sea.

And finally, for the ultimate in nostalgia-first escapism, seek out cosy treehouses to while away your annual leave allowance. Canopy and Stars, a great website for sourcing unique, creative places to stay in the outdoors, has a range of gorgeous treehouses to choose from. Treetops Treehouse in Devon, for example, is a curious hodge-podge of luxuriously furnished rooms, including a bathroom with a deep rolltop bath, a cosy double bedroom, a living room with a wood-burning stove and a generous deck for watching the sunset over the trees of the local Heywood Forest. 

Another great option is The Treehouse in Herefordshire, which sits amongst a lush canopy on 18 acres of land, which happens to be a local wildlife reserve. It is also a short drive away from Hay-on-Wye, perfect for book lovers, whether you coincide your visit with the Hay Literary Festival or not. Its many bookshops, markets and restaurants make it the ideal location for a relaxed day out. A perfect romantic retreat, The Treehouse is not suitable for children (its sole super king-size bed looks too divine to leave), but fur babies are very much welcome. 

Luxury Boat Staycations

Written by Amira Hashish on . Posted in Latest, Travel.

By Amira Hashish

There is something so soothing about being close to the water. So how about spending the night afloat? From a ‘boatel’ close to Edinburgh’s historic centre to a lakeside hideaway in Wales and a central London luxury barge, here are some characterful staycations that you can enjoy on your very own houseboat…

Mistery 2, Falmouth

This characterful barge is beautiful inside and out. She sits alongside her own quay, dating back to 1720, which was connected to the famous Perran Foundry to export castings around the world and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The creative owners have incorporated the history and nature into an escape that feels very special. The two bedrooms are set at each end of the ship and sunshine streams in through the port windows throughout the day. The master has an en-suite shower room and separate toilet. The second cabin has a V-shaped double bed, which can also be turned into two singles so this spot could work well for families or a getaway with friends. Recycled materials are used throughout. Our favourite design nod is in the kitchen surfaces which have been carefully hand-crafted from recycled Falmouth dock pilings.

Book: From £115 per night, uniquehideaways.com

Woodfarm Barges, Suffolk

These Dutch Sailing Barges go way back to the late 1800s and ooze character. Onderneming is moored at Snape Maltings on the River Alde and sleeps up to eight, whilst Twee Gebroeders is at the Tidemill in Woodbridge on the River Deben and can accommodate up to four. Both are dog friendly and all the owners pride themselves on the little details to make you feel at home including a welcome breakfast basket filled with local produce. Snape Maltings has a fabulous farmers market too.

Book: from around £140 per night, woodfarmbarges.com 

The Boathouse, Central London

Fancy a night on the water in London? The Boathouse Paddington-West is a one-bedroom bolthole that can accommodate up to four guests by converting the lounge into a second bedroom. The wide beam barge has a cosy, Scandinavian style and the private roof deck is a dreamy spot to watch the sunset. It is very handily located next to Paddington Basin’s buzzy boat restaurants including London Shell Co. and Darcie & May Green. Little Venice and Maida Vale are around the corner. You can book add-ons such as spa treatments or Champagne on arrival if you are in the mood to splash out.

Book: From £360 per night, boathouselondon.co.uk

The Four Sisters, Edinburgh

The Four Sisters family are bringing boatels to Edinburgh and the latest member is The Camillia. Built by the craftsmen at Collingwood Boat Builders in Liverpool, sustainability is at the forefront.  Sleeping up to eight adults, from three private two-bed cabins and a double sofa bed in the lounge area, it is ideal for a family getaway. Pets are welcome too. Permanently moored in Lochrin Basin, just a 10-minute walk from the historic city centre, this is a fun place to unwind after a day exploring the sights.

Book: From £220 per night, thefoursisters.co.uk

The Lakes by Yoo, Lechlade

Luxury rural estate The Lakes by Yoo has a collection of waterside cabins and apartments that are super sumptuous. They have been thoughtfully designed by YOO Studio, founded by international property entrepreneur John Hitchcox, alongside celebrated designer Philippe Starck. The nine two-bedroom cabins and 18 three-bedroom apartments are available for short bookings, with guests able to opt for two-night stays.  With sustainable touches throughout, including natural and local materials such as Cotswold stone and locally woven willow, the aesthetic of these new spaces blends seamlessly with its rural surroundings. Highlights include a split-level deck overlooking Marley Lake and a four-poster bed with views over the lake. 

Set amongst 850-acres of nature, The Lakes is a wilderness oasis with facilities and activities that range from fishing and boating to tennis and zip-wiring. A dedicated concierge service is able to arrange bespoke experiences and events. 

Book: From around £400 per night, thelakesbyyoo.com

Lodge on a Lake, Cardiff

Just a 20-minute drive from Cardiff City Centre lies a secret lakeside escape nestled in 35 acres of lush Welsh countryside.  On a family farm in Michaelstone-y-fedw, Bridgefarm has been in the same family for more than 100 years but it was during the early 90s that Cefn Mably Lakes was constructed. A successful fishing business blossomed and this was voted number one spot in the UK for carp fishing. The lodges are the latest venture and part of a vision for turning the farm into the Welsh capital’s most coveted retreat. 

This is a couples only resort and prides itself on its seclusion. Cabins come with private hot tubs and are perched over the lake so you can soak up the bubbles from the comfort of your deck. 

Book: £280 per night, lodgeonalake.com

The Best Staycations to Get Your Wellbeing Fix in 2022

Written by Anya Cooklin-Lofting on . Posted in Latest, Travel, Wellbeing.

By Anya Cooklin-Lofting

As the ashes of New Year’s fireworks settle and the Christmas ornaments are wrapped in their ancient papers and stored, from the glittery haze of Betwixtmas emerges a singular sensation, a paradoxical cocktail of both gloominess and determination. Yes, it’s still cold, and no, crisps and wine probably aren’t an acceptable mid-afternoon snack, and yet, the sense of a new beginning is enough to lift us from our spiced, mulled slumber with startling enthusiasm. It’s time, once again, to focus on what our bodies and minds truly need over and above the obligatory festive indulgences.

It is well known that gyms experience peak sign-up rates in January and that these first few weeks of the year see us reaching for rice cakes instead of the leftover Christmas cake, but our New Year’s resolutions can often leave us feeling less resolved and more reluctant. Wellbeing isn’t just for January, so why not follow my lead and plot some wellness highlights into 2022 with staycations to help you reset, refresh and recharge? Whether you’re after a fitness kick, a soothing spa weekend or the peace and quiet that distance and space can bring, read on…

Lake District – Walking & Fitness

The Lake District is one of the walking capitals of the world, perfect for getting away from the bustle of the city and reconnecting with the natural world. With a bottle of water and an apple in tow, I have found myself feeling refreshed, active and satisfied, hillside, lakeside and fireside on trips to the storied land of poets, writers and artists. Its bucolic cosiness is unrivalled in the UK, and the rush of following a map and reaching a peak, pit or pitstop on a track unfailingly brings a sense of achievement to my annual leave.

The Lake District’s towns and villages are tucked into crevices between the still bodies of water that lap at their shores and are dotted with tearooms and pubs that crop up exactly when you will them to after a bracing walk through rolling countryside. The choice of walks is almost overwhelming in these parts, but the walk from the Honister Pass to Haystacks, one of A. Wainright’s favourite fells, is one I’ll certainly be revisiting.

Bath – Wellness & Water

Bath is a hugely popular spa town with hot springs that were known to inhabitants as early as 60 AD when the Romans built temples and baths along the River Avon. Since this time, the town has become something of a site of pilgrimage for those seeking the curative properties of water and was cemented as a wellness destination by the Georgians. For a restorative break steeped in heritage and rich in culture, Bath offers a peek behind the veil of history as well as a modern homage to the Romans’ innovation.

The Roman Baths themselves are no longer fit for their original purpose, but visitors are welcome to explore the pools, the hallowed springs from which over a million litres of naturally heated water gushes every day and the remains of saunas and changing rooms. With a sense of the history of the therapeutic, healing waters, visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage site can make the one minute commute to Thermae Bath Spa on Hot Bath Street to take the waters themselves. The modern complex has views across the hodge-podge of the city’s golden, Bath Stone skyline, the perfect reminder that these waters are as rich in history as they are in health-giving minerals.

Isle of Skye – Distance & Solitude

For an enchanting, memorable and restful break, why not look to find peace and quiet on The Isle of Skye, a remote island connected to Scotland’s northwest coast by the Skye Bridge? The rugged landscape is encrusted with Medieval ruins and laden with stories of fairies, giants and Selkies, ‘seal folk’ that shed their skins and turn into humans. The island’s scenic hiking opportunities abound with routes via the Fairy Pools of glass-like water and the Old Man of Storr, an imposing rock formation that serves as a landmark for miles and resembles the face of an old man.

Soothing for the eyes and the mind alike, lucky visitors to the Isle of Skye over the winter months can see the Aurora Borealis Northern Lights. The lights generally appear white to the eye at this latitude but are no less magnificent than imagination might prophesy. The dancing sheets of spectral light are most visible in wide, open areas making evening hikes all the more magical.